Forensics What is Forensics Forensics Science associated with

Forensics

What is Forensics? • Forensics- Science associated with solving crimes • Evidence is collected at the crime scene, analyzed in lab, and later presented in court

Forensics in TV • With crime scene TV shows on the rise, Forensics has become a growing college major • It’s important to recognize the differences between what happens in TV shows and what actually happens on a daily basis

At the Crime Scene… • Crime Scene Investigators document • They take photographs, measurements, collect evidence • Evidence often includes fingerprints, hair, footprints, fibers, blood, and other bodily fluids • Very specific protocol must be followed for a variety of scenes • • Death Fire and Arson Bomb and Explosion Electronic CSI

Evidence- Forensic Anthropology & Dentistry • Forensics Anthropology: Examines skeletons to find out age, gender, height, ancestry • Also for information on injuries and time of death • Forensics Dentistry (Odontology): Studies development and anatomy of teeth and dental structures to help identify people • Can use teeth to compare to past dental records • Bones and teeth are the most durable part of the human body and often the only recognizable parts after decomposition, fire, etc. http: //www. sfu. museum/forensics/eng/pg_media-media_pg/anthropologie-anthropology/photo/16/

Evidence- Controlled Substances • Chemicals that are legally recognized for the potential for abuse • “Street” and prescription drugs • Frequent problems: • Large quantities • New designer drugs • Many drugs are similar in appearance and properties Drugs (8 min): https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=d. SI-QU 4 U 62 E

• Cocaine • Heroin • Marijuana • MDMA

• Methamphetamine • Spice • Bath Salts • Prescription Drugs Krokodil

Evidence- Digital • Digital evidence stored in binary (computer code) may be used in court • Found on computer hard drives, mobile phones, PDA, CD, flash cards, etc. • Used to prosecute both e-crimes and non ecrimes • E-crimes happen online (ex. credit card fraud, child pornography) BTK was found based on floppy disk evidence in 2005 Digital evidence (3: 30): https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=vfx. EAp 93 z. Wg

Cases • BTK: Dennis Rader- murdered 10 people from 1974 - 1991, pled guilty in 2005 • Sent correspondence to newspapers throughout time • Traced a floppy disk back to him

• “The police corresponded with the BTK Killer (Rader) in an effort to gain his confidence. Then, in one of his communications with police, Rader asked them if it was possible to trace information from floppy disks. The police department replied that there was no way of knowing on what computer such a disk had been used, which was in fact not true. The BTK killer's last known communication with the media and police was a padded envelope that arrived at FOX affiliate KSAS-TV in Wichita on February 16, 2005. A blue 1. 44 -MB Memorex floppy disk was enclosed in the package. Also enclosed were a letter, a photocopy of the cover of a 1989 novel about a serial killer (Rules of Prey), and a gold-colored necklace with a large medallion. [30] Police found metadata embedded in a deleted Microsoft Word document that was, unbeknownst to Rader, on the disk. [31] The metadata contained "Christ Lutheran Church", and the document was marked as last modified by "Dennis". A search of the church web site turned up Dennis Rader as being president of the congregation council. Police began surveillance on Rader. [32] The police also knew BTK owned a black Jeep Cherokee. When investigators drove by Rader's house, they noticed the black Jeep Cherokee parked outside. [33]”

• Death of Caylee Anthony: Two year old Caylee Anthony was reported missing after weeks of not being seen • Remains were found near family home • On her mother, Casey’s computer: google searches for “neck breaking” and “how to make chloroform” • Originally said she searched chloroform over 84 times, but it was a flaw. Only searched once. • Over 700 pages of documents released to authorities • Photo on an ex-boyfriends computer said “Win her over with chloroform”. • Justin Harris Case : http: //www. cnn. com/2014/07/08/justice/georgiahot-car-toddler-death/index. html

Evidence- Forensic DNA • DNA Profiling (genetic fingerprint): mapping parts of a person’s DNA to identify them • Compare DNA “fingerprints” of suspects with evidence • 99% of DNA is identical between people, 1% helps us tell the difference • DNA sequences in DNA are specific to individuals • Use a restriction enzyme to cut DNA sequences • Gel causes bands to separate by size http: //www. pbs. org/wgbh/nova/education/body/create-dna-fingerprint. html

Evidence- Impression & Pattern • Impression evidence: Created when 2 objects come into contact leaving an impression • Fingerprints, bullet marks, shoeprints etc. • Pattern evidence: Additional info found in an impression • Ex. in a shoeprint- sole, cracks in shoe, tire marks, blood stains • Pattern Analysis: Handwriting, typewriting

Evidence- Forensic Pathology • Examine human remains, perform autopsies • Try to identify if cause of death was natural, accidental, or criminal • May recover critical evidence and help identify wound patterns

Evidence- Forensic Toxicology • Analyze biological samples for evidence of toxic substances • Often drugs and alcohol • Can analyze bodily fluids for substances (ex. driver’s blood for alcohol) • New drugs are always being developed, therefore the science has to continually change to keep up

Evidence- Trace Evidence • Objects transferred between people, objects, or environment during a crime • Fiber, hair, gun shot residue, pollen, etc.